[{"TitleName":"The Pyramid","Publisher":"Fantasy Software [1]","Author":"Bob Hamilton, Darren Hamilton, Ian Hamilton","YearOfRelease":"1983","ZxDbId":"0003957","Reviews":[{"Issue":{"Name":"Crash Issue 2, Mar 1984","Price":"£0.75","ReleaseDate":"1984-02-23","Editor":"Roger Kean","TotalPages":112,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Roger Kean\r\nDesigner: Oliver Frey\r\nConsultant Editor: Franco Frey\r\nStaff Writers: Lloyd Mangram, Rod Bellamy\r\nAdvertisement Manager: John Edwards\r\nProduction Designer: Michael Arienti\r\n\r\n©1984 Newsfield Ltd.\r\n\r\nCrash Micro is published monthly by Newsfield Ltd. [redacted]\r\n\r\nNo material may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent from the copyright holders.\r\n\r\nMono printing, typesetting & finishing by Feb Edge Litho Ltd. [redacted]\r\nColour printing by Allan-Denver Web Offset Ltd. [redacted].\r\nColour origination by Scan Studios, [redacted]\r\nDistributed by Wells Gardner, Darton & Co. [redacted]\r\n\r\nSubscriptions: 12 issues £9.00 UK Mainland (post included)\r\nEurope: 12 issues £15 (post included).\r\nSingle copy: 75p\r\n\r\nIf you would like to contribute to CRASH please send articles or ideas for projects to the above address. Articles should be typed. We cannot undertake to return them unless accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope\r\n\r\nCover Illustration:Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"Producer: Fantasy\r\nMemory Required: 48K\r\nRetail Price: £5.50\r\nLanguage: Machine code\r\nAuthor: Bob Hamilton\r\n\r\nIn essence The Pyramid is a simple game, as all good games should be. Your hero is Ziggy, who sits in a little bubble capsule equipped with a 'highly effective phased plasmic laser' with which he can atomise any of the 60 weird aliens that live inside the Pyramid. This structure consists of 120 chambers on 15 levels, 1 chamber on the top level, 2 on the second, three on the third - and so on. The object of the game is to reach the exit on level 15 in as short a time as possible.\r\n\r\nEach time the capsule touches an alien its shield power is depleted. When the shield has evaporated, Ziggy is vulnerable and will die it he runs into an alien. There are two exits from each chamber, protected by a force field. These are neutralised by crystals which drop from the top of the chamber after a certain number of aliens have been atomised. The crystals have three states - white, they destroy anything touched and deplete the capsule shield - yellow, they become vulnerable to destruction by aliens but are still too hot to pick up - and when blue they can be collected and used to neutralise the exit force field, although if the capsule is hit by an alien a crystal will still be destroyed. With each level the force fields require an extra crystal to neutralise them, so on level 3 it takes 3 crystals, level 4 needs 4 crystals - and so on.\r\n\r\nAnd basically, that's it. Scoring is done by giving you 9999 points when you enter a chamber and awarding what's left when you exit. Points over 30,000 are coded and may be sent to Fantasy for publishing in their top 1000 scores every 6 months.\r\n\r\nCOMMENTS\r\n\r\nControl keys: 3 options - Q/A up/down, O/P left/right, bottom row fire; or - top row up, 2nd row down, A-G left, H-L right, bottom row fire; or - Z/SYMBOL SHIFT left/right, X/M up/down, C N fire.\r\nJoystick: Fuller, AGF, Protek, Kempston, Mikrogen\r\nKeyboard play: very responsive\r\nUse of colour: very good\r\nGraphics: excellent\r\nSound: good\r\nLives: 1\r\nScreens: 120","ReviewerComments":["At first I thought this was going to be an adventure, but no, it's a very unique arcade game and well worth buying with 120 screens, each one more difficult than the last. It will take a long time to master. Another bonus is the graphics which are very good - like Ultimate's style, smooth, action-packed and detailed. Good keyboard positions too. A very addictive game.\r\nUnknown","This game is nicely packaged and presented with excellent instructions. In playing it's enjoyable because all the colours are used, the graphics are smooth and very detailed, each character having its own movement and animation - there's even a recoil effect on the laser. The game is great fun to play, frustrating when you start to get down a few levels, die, and have to go back to the start. Very challenging. I liked it!\r\nUnknown","Presentation and graphics are excellent and the range of control key positions and joysticks that may be used all add up to very good value for money. A highly addictive game.\r\nUnknown"],"OverallSummary":"General Rating: Addictive, playable and excellent value for money.","Page":"25,26","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[{"Text":"A mammoth undertaking - The Pyramid."}],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Use of Computer","Score":"85%","Text":""},{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"82%","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"81%","Text":""},{"Header":"Getting Started","Score":"78%","Text":""},{"Header":"Addictive Qualities","Score":"83%","Text":""},{"Header":"Value For Money","Score":"91%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"83%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Sinclair User Issue 21, Dec 1983","Price":"£0.75","ReleaseDate":"1983-11-17","Editor":"Nigel Clark","TotalPages":204,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Managing Editor: Nigel Clark\r\nDeputy Editor: Nicole Segre\r\nConsultant Editor: Mike Johnston\r\nManaging Production Editor: Harold Mayes MBE\r\nSoftware Editor: John Gilbert\r\nProgram Reviewer: Rebecca Ferguson\r\nIllustrator/Designer: Brian King\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: John Ross\r\nSales Executive: Annette Burrows\r\nProduction Assistant: Dezi Epaminondou\r\nEditorial Assistant: Colette McDermott\r\nManaging Director: Terry Cartwright\r\nChairman: Richard Hease\r\n\r\nSinclair User is published monthly by ECC Publications Ltd.\r\n\r\nTelephone\r\nAll departments\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nIf you would like to contribute to any of the Sinclair User group of publications please send programs, articles or ideas for hardware projects to:\r\nSinclair User and Programs\r\nECC Publications\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nPrograms should be on cassette and articles should be typed. We cannot undertake to return them unless a stamped-addressed envelope is included.\r\n\r\nWe will pay £10 for each program published and £50 per 1,000 words for each article used.\r\n\r\n©Copyright 1983\r\nSinclair User\r\nISSN NO. 0262-5458\r\n\r\nPrinted and typeset by Cradley Print PLC, [redacted]\r\n\r\nDistributed by Spotlight Magazine Distribution Ltd, [redacted]\r\n\r\nCover Photograph: Peter Dawney"},"MainText":"ULTIMATELY ENDLESS\r\n\r\nMost games for the 48K Spectrum boast that they will show you the answer to all your prayers, the answer to the ultimate question, and Pyramid is no different.\r\n\r\nThe difference is that during the game you must play a cosmonaut who is seeking the real answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything, which was formerly thought to be 42.\r\n\r\nTo do this you have been zapped into a pyramid of many levels and chambers. As you gain entry to each chamber you are one step closer to knowing the answer. All that stands in your way is the many creatures and objects which inhabit the dark corner of the pyramid.\r\n\r\nYou must clear each chamber before you pass to the next and the speed at which you do so will make points. The more points and experience you amass the bigger your code will become. The code is the manufacturer's way of checking how far you have advanced in the game. If you send it to Fantasy Software you could be entered into its Hall of Fame. The code is displayed on the screen.\r\n\r\nThe scope of the game will ensure that you will be playing it for months, if not years. There are 120 chambers on 15 levels and there are 60 types of aliens in those chambers. Most of the beasts defy description.\r\n\r\nPyramid costs £5.50 and can be obtained from Fantasy Software, [redacted].","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"54","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Gilbert Factor","Score":"8/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Personal Computer Games Issue 3, Feb 1984","Price":"£0.85","ReleaseDate":"1984-01-19","Editor":"Chris Anderson","TotalPages":176,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Chris Anderson\r\nProduction Editor: Roderick George\r\nArt Editor: Ian Findlay\r\nTechnical Editor: Stuart Cooke\r\nStaff Writers: Steve Cooke, Peter Connor\r\nEditorial Assistant: Samantha Hemens\r\nSoftware Consultant: Tony Takoushi\r\nCartoons: Kipper Williams\r\nProgram Control Guardians: Jeff Riddle\r\nIllustrations: Mark Watkinson, Andy Bylo, Tony Hannaford\r\nPhotography: Ian McKinnel, Chris Bell, Tony Sleep\r\nGroup Editor: Cyndy Miles\r\nArt Director: Jim Dansie\r\nPublishing Manager: Mark Eisen\r\nAssistant Publishing Manager: Sue Clements\r\nAdvertising Manager: Herbert Wright\r\nAssistant Advertisement Manager: Jan Martin\r\nSales Executives: Joey Davies, Marion O'Neill, Louise Hedges\r\n\r\nPublished by VNU Business Publications, [redacted]. Typesetting by Spectrum Typesetting, [redacted] Origination by Fourmost Colour [redacted]. Printed and bound by Chase Web Offset [redacted]. © VNU Business Publications 1984."},"MainText":"MACHINE: Spectrum 48K\r\nJOYSTICK: Optional\r\nCATEGORY: Arcade\r\nSUPPLIER: Fantasy\r\nPRICE: £5.50\r\n\r\nThis is one of a growing number of games which offers you remarkable value for money. Your task is to move a manned space-capsule down through a pyramid, which has 15 different levels.\r\n\r\nAt each level you come under attack from a different type of alien - so it's 15 games in one.\r\n\r\nActually it's more than that The authors have arranged that each time you descend a level you have a choice of two rooms to enter, each containing a different species of nasty.\r\n\r\nSo you can come across different creatures every time you play - up to a total of 60 types. Quite enough to maintain your interest for a month or two.Or six.\r\n\r\nThe game works like this: in each chamber you shoot up as many aliens as you can. When you've zapped a certain number, a crystal appears which you have to collect, and drop through a force-field.\r\n\r\nAfter you've done this a few times, the force-field is neutralised and you can pass through it into the next level. The faster you manage to complete a room the more points you get.\r\n\r\nThe game plays very well. It features smooth graphics and all the aliens are nicely animated. For example, the first wave consists of dustbins with banging lids.\r\n\r\nFantasy Software have tried to add to the game's attraction by including a numerical puzzle to be solved. At each level you may be given a number.\r\n\r\nIf you put these clues together you're supposed to be able to work out what number is at the bottom level and hence discover the Meaning of Life.\r\n\r\nFantasy have also built codes into the program to enable them to verify high-score claims. Every six months they plan to publish a list of the top thousand highest scores.\r\n\r\nSo it all adds up to a game you could spend a great deal of time playing. I thoroughly recommend it.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"54,55","Denied":false,"Award":"PCG Hit","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Chris Anderson","Score":"9","ScoreSuffix":"/10"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"8/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Sound","Score":"6/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Ease Of Use","Score":"7/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Originality","Score":"8/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Lasting Interest","Score":"10/10","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"9/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Sinclair Programs Issue 21, Jul 1984","Price":"£0.95","ReleaseDate":"1984-06-21","Editor":"Rebecca Ferguson","TotalPages":60,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Rebecca Ferguson\r\nConsultant Editor: John Campbell\r\nManaging Production Editor: Harold Mayes MBE\r\nStaff Writer: June Mortimer\r\nDesign: Elaine Bishop\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: Holly Fleming\r\nProduction Assistant: Dezi Epaminondou\r\nEditorial Assistant: Colette McDermott\r\nManaging Editor: Nigel Clark\r\nManaging Director: Terry Cartwright\r\nAssistant Managing Director: Barry Hazel\r\nChairman: Richard Hease\r\n\r\nU.S. Press representative Mr J. Eisenberg, JE Publishers' representative, [redacted]\r\n\r\nSinclair Programs is published monthly by ECC Publications Ltd.\r\n\r\nTelephone [redacted]\r\n\r\nIf you would like your original programs to be published in Sinclair Programs, please send your contributions, which must not have appeared elsewhere, to\r\nSinclair Programs\r\nEEC Publications\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nPrograms should be on cassette. We cannot undertake to return them unless a stamped-addressed envelope is included. We pay £10 for the copyright of each program published.\r\n\r\n©Copyright 1984 Sinclair Programs\r\nISSN No. 0263-0265\r\n\r\nPrinted and typeset by: Cradley Print PLC, [redacted]\r\n\r\nDistributed by Spotlight Magazine Distribution Ltd, [redacted]\r\n\r\nCover Design: Ivan Hissey"},"MainText":"The Pyramid, by Fantasy Software, sends its players searching through the 15-level pyramid in search of the Ultimate Answer to Life, the Universe and Everything.\r\n\r\nEach chamber of the pyramid is occupied by a different type of alien. To escape from a chamber, crystals must be used to neutralise the energy fields around the exit and to obtain a crystal a certain number of aliens must be destroyed.\r\n\r\nPoints are gained for the speed with which a chamber is negotiated, so the more quickly the player acts the better. Aliens must be avoided, which is not always an easy task, as each type of alien has a different flight path. Crystals must be caught at the appropriate time, guarded from destruction by aliens, and negotiated to an exit as quickly as possible.\r\n\r\nThe Pyramid works with Fuller, Kempston, AGF/Protek and Mikrogen joysticks and contains four keyboard options. It is produced for the 48K Spectrum by Fantasy Software and can be bought at W H Smith for £5.50.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"32","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"June Mortimer","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":null,"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"C&VG (Computer & Video Games) Issue 24, Oct 1983","Price":"£0.85","ReleaseDate":"1983-09-16","Editor":"Terry Pratt","TotalPages":164,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Terry Pratt\r\nAssistant Editor: Eugene Lacey\r\nEditorial Assistant: Clare Edgeley\r\nReader Services: Robert Schifreen\r\nArt Editor: Linda Freeman\r\nDesigner: Lynda Skerry\r\nProduction Editor: Tim Metcalfe\r\nStaff Writers: Seamus St. John, Richard Frankel\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Rita Lewis\r\nAssistant Advertisement Manager: Rob Cameron\r\nAdvertising Executives: Louise Matthews, Mick Cassall\r\nAdvertisement Assistant: Louise Flockhart\r\nPublisher: Tom Moloney\r\n\r\nEditorial and Advertisement Offices: [redacted]\r\n\r\nCOMPUTER AND VIDEO GAMES POSTAL SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE. By using the special Postal Subscription Service, copies of COMPUTER AND VIDEO GAMES can be mailed direct from our offices each month to any address throughout the world. All subscription applications should be sent for processing to COMPUTER AND VIDEO GAMES (Subscription Department), [redacted]. All orders should include the appropriate remittance made payable to COMPUTER AND VIDEO GAMES. Annual subscription rates (12 issues): UK and Eire: £10.00, Overseas surface mail: £12.00, Airmail Europe: £20.00. Additional service information including individual overseas airmail rates available upon request. Circulation Department: EMAP National Publications. Published and distributed by EMAP National Publications Ltd. Printed by Eden Fisher (Southend) Ltd.\r\n\r\n©Computer & Video Games Limited ISSN 0261 3697.\r\n\r\nCover Illustration: David John Rowe\r\n3D Illustrations: Dorian Cross\r\n3D Origination: Karran Products\r\nArcade Arena Illustrations: Ross Collins\r\nNext Issue: October 16th"},"MainText":"BEWARE THE KAMIKAZE SPIDERS...\r\n\r\nTake the plunge and explore the mysterious chambers of an unknown pyramid.\r\n\r\nWhile taking an early morning ride in your space capsule you find yourself hovering over the top of a pyramid. Suddenly you notice an entrance and, in a fit of madness, you decide to explore!\r\n\r\nBut aliens lurking in the chambers of the pyramid don't take kindly to intruders. You will be set-upon by baddies of every conceivable shape and form, in eluding monstrous flapping bats and horrible spiders. Watch out as they try a kamikaze leap, killing themselves as they fly and jump onto you!\r\n\r\nThe aim of Pyramid is to reach the inner sanctum and find the nature of the treasure and the name of the long-dead queen buried there.\r\n\r\nThis isn't as easy as it sounds with 15 levels to the pyramid, up to 60 types of aliens to zap and 120 chambers to get through. To make your journey even harder, the inner sanctum can only be reached by one of many different routes.\r\n\r\nPyramid is available from Gloucester-based Fantasy Software Ltd, formerly Quest Microsoftware, for the 48K Spectrum at £5.50.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"25","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":null,"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Personal Computer News Issue 59, Apr 1984","Price":"","ReleaseDate":"1984-04-28","Editor":"Cyndy Miles","TotalPages":58,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editorial\r\nEditor: Cyndy Miles\r\nDeputy Editor: Geof Wheelwright\r\nManaging Editor: Peter Worlock\r\nSub-Editors: Harriet Arnold, Leah Batham\r\nNews Editor: David Guest\r\nNews Writer: Ralph Bancroft\r\nHardware Editor: Ian Scales\r\nFeatures Editor: John Lettice\r\nSoftware Editor: Bryan Skinner\r\nPrograms Editor: Ken Garroch\r\nPeripherals Editor: Piers Letcher\r\nListings Editor: Wendie Pearson\r\nEditor's Assistant: Nickie Robinson\r\nArt Director: Jim Dansie\r\nArt Editor: David Robinson\r\nAssistant Art Editor: Floyd Sayers\r\nLayout Artist: Nigel Wingrove\r\nPublishing Manager: Mark Eisen\r\nPublishing Secretary: Jenny Dunne\r\n\r\nAdvertising\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Bettina Williams\r\nAssistant Advertisement Manager: Sarah Barron\r\nSales Executives: Christian McCarthy, John Bryan, Laura Cade, Paul Evans\r\nProduction: Nikki Payne\r\nAdvertisement Assistant: Karen Isaac\r\nSubscription Enquiries: Gill Stevens\r\nSubscription Address: [redacted]\r\nEditorial Address: [redacted]\r\nAdvertising Address: [redacted]\r\n\r\nPublished by VNU Business Publications, [redacted]\r\n© VNU 1983. No material maybe reproduced in whole or in part without written consent from the copyright holders.\r\nPhotoset by Quickset, [redacted]\r\nPrinted by Chase Web Offset, [redacted]\r\nDistributed by Seymour Press, [redacted]\r\nRegistered at the PO as a newspaper"},"MainText":"NAME: The Pyramid\r\nSYSTEM: 48K Spectrum\r\nPRICE: £5.50\r\nPUBLISHER: Fantasy Software, [redacted]\r\nFORMAT: Cassette\r\nLANGUAGE: Machine code\r\nOTHER VERSIONS: None\r\n\r\nEvery few months a game comes along which you know instantly is something special. For me the last was Manic Miner, and now comes The Pyramid.\r\n\r\nYou start in the chamber which represents the peak of the pyramid, and the aim is to get through all 120 chambers and reach the base. You are Ziggy in your little ship.\r\n\r\nTo appeal to everyone, the cassette wallet includes both a silly scenario owing something to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and a detailed explanation of the controls and purpose of the game.\r\n\r\nThe Pyramid thoughtfully provides three different keyboard layouts and it will accommodate Fuller, Kempston, AGF/Protek or Mikrogen joysticks.\r\n\r\nEach chamber is filled with floating aliens, which you must avoid, and at the foot of the screen the letter 'A' indicates how many of these you must shoot with your laser in order to release the energised crystal. You need the crystal in order to unlock one of the sealed gates that leads to the next chamber, and the crystals change colour to indicate what state they are in. If white it will destroy any aliens it touches, but then it changes to yellow and contact with an alien will destroy it. You must then start shooting and dodging in order to release another crystal.\r\n\r\nIn its final cyan state you can collect the crystal in your craft and deposit it in one of the two exits - and just to complicate matters the exits also change colour. You must drop enough crystals in them to change them to their lowest (magenta) level before they will open to allow your escape.\r\n\r\nThe Pyramid is colourful and quick, well packaged and cheap, and should be an essential addition to any collection.\r\n\r\nMicropaedia Editor: Geof Wheelwright\r\nDesign: Paul Clarkson\r\nContributors: Jim Ballard, Bob Chappell, Bill Davies, Mike Gerrard and Simon Williams\r\n\r\nNEXT WEEK\r\n\r\nWe begin a five-part series of detailed graphics techniques for the BBC Micro, the Acorn Electron, the Oric Atmos, the Oric-1, the Atari series of home computers, the Commodore 64 and the Sinclair Spectrum.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"26","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Geof Wheelwight","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Jim Ballard","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Bob Chappell","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Bill Davies","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Mike Gerrard","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Simon Williams","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Lasting Appeal","Score":"5/5","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"5/5","Text":""},{"Header":"Use Of Machine","Score":"5/5","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall Value","Score":"5/5","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]}]}]